As you follow the picturesque coastline of the province of Malaga, bathed in sunshine and surrounded by the blue sea, you are bound to see something that catches your eye – the watchtowers. These ancient structures are like stone sentinels that still watch over the Andalusian landscape, faithful to their task for hundreds of years.
A magical journey through time
Dotted with numerous watchtowers, Malaga’s coastline is a heritage that goes back deep into the past – to the days of Moorish rule, when this land called Al-Andalus was surrounded by a massive network of defensive towers. Erected between the eighth and fifteenth centuries, the towers were part of a defensive strategy against both Christian kingdoms and Mediterranean pirates. Although their construction appears simple – they are usually cylindrical or square structures – they carry echoes of a sophisticated Moorish aesthetic. Built of stone, they were often decorated with subtly inlaid geometric patterns that added a unique and artistic note.
The Reconquista brought no end to their importance and the new rulers recognised the strategic importance of these structures. Despite the change in architectural style and method of construction, the towers continued to serve as lookouts and watchtowers, protecting the region from the threat of Berber and Turkish pirates. Today, as you stroll along Málaga’s picturesque coastline, each of these towers is like a time capsule transporting you back in time. They are monuments to ancient engineering and the mysterious world that once existed. For lovers of history and architecture, these watchtowers are an invaluable treasure to be discovered slowly – step by step, savouring every detail of their ancient construction. The towers average 11 metres in height, built on a base about 7 metres in diameter.
Coastguards
The watchtowers, scattered along Malaga’s picturesque coastline, are a symbol of both power and survival. The view of the sea stretching from each of them, however, was not just to admire the beauty of the landscape. In Moorish times, the guards on the towers were the first line of defence against invaders who could come from the land as well as the sea. Each tower was strategically positioned to provide the widest possible view of the surrounding area and to allow news of impending danger to be transmitted quickly.
After the reconquest, the defensive challenge did not cease. The threat from Berber pirates and Turks was ever present. At the time, towers, sometimes referred to as pirate towers, were essential to protect the population and towns on the coast. Acting as strong, impenetrable bastions, they allowed observation and transmission of information about suspicious ships and, if necessary, the mobilisation of local defences.
For centuries, these austere stone structures have stood guard over the safety of the local community. As we explore them, we not only admire the architectural beauty, but are also reminded of the important role they played – and still play – as guardians of the coast. Each of these towers is a pearl of history, whose job it was to protect what is most precious: the peace and security of the people of Andalusia.
Echoes of the past
Watchtower duty was quite a challenge. There were guards stationed in each structure whose job was to keep a constant watch on the horizon. When they spotted the enemy, they were required to notify others immediately. Various methods were used to communicate: from fire and smoke, to raising flags or banging drums. Thanks to this system, news of an impending threat could be transmitted quickly from tower to tower, enabling an immediate response and mobilisation of local defence forces.
Today, the towers still serve the community. Some are now museums where the long and rich history of these remarkable structures can be experienced. Others, thanks to their strategic location, are used as lookout points. Every coastal region has at least one of these structures. In the province of Malaga today, we can find 42 towers, six of which are located in Marbella:
- Chullera Tower in Manilva
- Salto de la Mora tower in Casares
- Arroyo Vaquero Tower in Estepona
- Sala Vieja Tower in Estepona
- Padrón Tower in Estepona
- Velerin Tower in Estepona
- Guadalmans Tower in Estepona
- Saladillo tower in Estepona
- Torre de Baños in Estepona
- Tower of Shops in Marbella
- Torre del Duque in Marbella
- Ancon tower in Marbella
- Rio Real tower in Marbella
- Lance de las Cañas tower in Marbella
- Tower of Thieves in Marbella
- Calahonda Tower in Mijas
- The new La Cala del Moral tower in Mijas
- Battery tower of La Cala del Moral in Mijas
- Calaburras Tower in Mijas
- White Tower of Fuengirola
- Dock Tower in Benalmádena
- Destroyed tower in Benalmadena
- Torre Bermeja in Benalmadena
- Torre Molinos in Torremolinos
- Las Palomas Tower in Malaga
- Cantal tower in Rincon de la Victoria
- Benagalbón tower in Rincon de la Victoria
- Chilches Tower in Vélez-Málaga
- Moya Tower in Velez-Malaga
- Torre del Jaral in Velez-Malaga
- Manganeta Tower in Vélez-Málaga
- The Leaning Tower of Algarrobo
- Right tower in Algarrobo
- Torre de Lagos in Vélez-Malaga
- Güi Tower in Torrox
- Calaceite tower in Torrox
- Macaca Tower in Nerja
- Torrecilla in Nerja
- Maro Tower in Nerja
- Rio de la Miel tower in Nerja
- Pine tower in Nerja
- Caleta Tower in Nerja
Marbella is famous for its luxury properties and watchtowers
Known as one of the most luxurious destinations on the Costa del Sol, Marbella is famous not only for its elegant villas and yachts, but also for its fascinating monuments of the past. Those that attract the most attention include the watchtowers – part of the defensive network that once guarded the Andalusian coast. Which ones are particularly worth visiting?
Ladrones Tower (Torre de los Ladrones)
This is one of Marbella’s most recognisable landmarks. This tower, whose name translates to ‘Tower of Thieves’, is part of a network of defensive towers – built to protect against invaders and pirates. Reaching around 16 metres in height, the Ladrones Tower, built in the 13th/14th century, is one example of the Arab architectural heritage in the area. Situated near Artola beach, close to the natural dune reserve of Cabopino, it offers an unforgettable view of the Mediterranean panorama.
Estepona – city of flowers and fortified towers
This small town, located on the western edge of the Costa del Sol, is known for its picturesque streets and beautiful beaches. It also has its share of a long history of defensive watchtowers scattered along the Andalusian coast. In its territory, seven watchtowers have been preserved to this day – six of Christian origin and one built during Moorish times. Which ones are worth visiting?
Padron Tower
This is one of the most recognisable defensive structures in Estepona, towering majestically over the banks of the Padron River. The 12-metre-high cylindrical structure, built during the Arab rule, played a key role in securing the city against maritime enemy assaults. Today, the tower is not open to the public, but is still a deserving landmark that can be admired from afar.
Saladillo tower
South of the A-7 route, near Saladillo beach, rises the 11-metre-high tower bearing the same name. This structure, like many others scattered along the coast, was part of a defence system – created to counter pirate raids. Its conical shape is reminiscent of the Padrón and Velerín towers.
Thanks to local conservationists, it is in excellent condition – inside there are perfectly preserved: an inner hall with a fireplace and brick vault, a staircase and a terrace. The tower is easy to spot from the beach and is a popular spot on the tourist map of Estépona, even though it is not open to the public.
Chullera Tower in Manilva
In the westernmost part of the coast of the province of Malaga, in the village of Manilvy, there is the only one of its kind – the Chuller Tower, which guaranteed that no one from Cadiz would try to conquer Malaga.
As the name suggests, the structure is located in Punta de la Chullera, east of the Guadiaro River and on private property. In 1497, the tower had its current name and was probably built on the site of a smaller tower that was destroyed by lightning. Who knows, perhaps it was its story that inspired Fernando Arrabal to write his novel ‘The Tower Wounded by Lightning’?
Rio Real Tower (Torre del Rio Real)
It is another monument in Marbella, located near the river of the same name. The tower dates from the end of the 16th century, is 11 metres high and is built on a circular plan. Today, the tower is an integral part of the landscape, serving not only as a tourist spot but also as a marker for players on the surrounding Rio Real golf course.
Both towers are fascinating witnesses to the past and evidence of Marbella’s long history as a place of strategic importance. Today, embedded in the cityscape, they still serve as a reminder of the region’s rich and varied history. You can also find four other towers in this luxury resort.
Casares Salt Tower
Part of the defence system of the Kingdom of Granada, Casares is dominated by the Torre de la Sal. Located on the cape of the Casares coast, between the Manilva River and the Camarate stream, it is the only watchtower in this municipality. Unlike other structures on the Malaga coast, the Torre de la Sal was not originally a strategic structure. Its name comes from the nearby salt mine, and the structure itself was originally used as a warehouse.
From the 16th century, the tower was incorporated into the formal maritime defence system, serving to observe and defend the coast against Berber pirates. The Torre de la Sal differs from other watchtowers in the province of Malaga – it is on two levels and its uniqueness is emphasised by its square plan.
Calaburras Tower in Mijas
Neighbouring Marbella, Mijas is home to four watchtowers, of which La Cala is probably the most recognisable. However, we will focus on the Calaburras tower, which is located within the El Faro estate.
Its history dates back to 1575, and a document dated 1571 already mentions La Cala and Estancia de las Burras, suggesting that there was a small garrison in the area at the time. However, it was not until 1574 that Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba ordered its construction, thus securing the region and the local community against raids and looting.
Torre Bermeja in Benalmadena
There are three observation towers in Benalmadena, but our attention will focus on Torre Bermeja – an example of how human intervention can change the landscape. This tower is currently located at the end of Alay Avenue in the marina, from where you can admire the entrance to Sea Life. Its name comes from the reddish colour of the ‘bermejo’ terrain on which it is built. It is believed to have been erected at the end of the 15th century by the Muslims on the rocky cape of Punta Saltillo.
The tower’s circular design and strategic location allowed it to observe the coast of the Alboran Sea (a body of water in the western Mediterranean) and to communicate by fire and smoke with other towers and nearby towns in case enemy ships appeared in the waters of the Kingdom of Grenada.
White Tower of Fuengirola
Currently, the Torre Blanca watchtower towers over a hill near a Roman archaeological site called Finca El Secretario. Interestingly, this is not its original site: it is known that until the 1950s – from 1765, when Torre Blanca is believed to have been built – the watchtower was located on a cape in another part of the city, near today’s N-340 road.
Torre Blanca still watches over the sunny relaxation of Fuengirola’s residents on the beaches. With the development of the aforementioned road in the 1960s, the tower ‘disappeared’, to be later rebuilt where it now stands – next to the imposing Osborne Bull visible from afar.
Pigeon Tower in Malaga
Due to its close proximity to the town of Torremolinos, the capital of Málaga has only one coastal lighthouse – the Torre de las Palomas. The structure itself was built in 1574 and was designed by Francisco Vázquez. Located at the top of the small cape of Punta Palomas, near the Rincón de la Victoria, it was actively used during the reign of Charles III. Made of red stone, the structure has a circular base with a diameter of seven metres and a height of ten. The tower is covered with a brick spherical vault and topped with a roof.
When you visit one of the towers, stand at its base or manage to climb to the top and look out to the horizon, think of those who once served here. Imagine a guard looking out at the same sea, alert and ready for action. This perspective adds a whole new dimension to the whole escapade, combining the past and the present in one unforgettable experience.
Historic watchtowers are not the only landmarks you can follow when visiting the Costa del Sol. Your attention is also drawn to our blog entry on the lighthouses, which over the years have acted as signposts for sailors traversing the waters of the Mediterranean.
